Councillors have welcomed news that a ‘crazy’ plan to narrow one of the region’s busiest roads in a bid to solve congestion has been binned.

A report looking at ways to ease congestion on the A6 in Stockport considered measures to improve traffic flow before the road becomes even busier with congestion generated by proposed housing developments in Derbyshire and Cheshire East.

High Peak, Cheshire East, Derbyshire and Stockport councils, in conjunction with Transport for Greater Manchester, were involved in the joint study.

One of the suggestions was to reduce the road from four lanes to three in Hazel Grove between Torkington Road and Bramhall Moor Lane after the Manchester Airport Relief Road is built.

There would be a single lane in each direction with a shared third lane for right turns with traffic ‘displaced’ onto nearby smaller roads - Jacksons Lane and Marple Road.

The report said the measure would result in a ‘notable reduction in traffic’. But it was immediately branded ‘crazy’ by now Stockport Mayor, Hazel Grove councillor Kevin Hogg.

The proposal has now been removed from the report after opposition from councillors and residents.

Tory Hazel Grove councillor William Wragg said: “I am pleased that common sense appears to have prevailed. This could have had a devastating effect on Hazel Grove – increased congestion, more pollution and a threat to local business. I’m glad this barmy plan has been dropped.”

Hazel Grove MP Sir Andrew Stunell said: “The idea seems to have been dreamt up behind the scenes by officers on Cheshire East and Stockport councils.

“The Lib Dems in Hazel Grove spoke out against it immediately and forced the council to drop the plans.”

Deputy council leader Iain Roberts said: “There were a number of ideas, including taking the A6 down to three lanes.

"Hazel Grove councillors argued strongly against it and the recommendation has now been removed from the report.”